Episode Transcript  

One

King of Poland

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said basically, “Father, if there another way to save these people that doesn’t involve suffering and death, can I do that? But not my will. Your will be done.” St. Jadwiga will do the same. Here name is translated as Hedwig in English (not to be confused with Harry Potter’s owl).

She was the daughter of King Louis I. When he died, Jadwiga was his only heir to the throne. And though she was only ten years old, she was crowned King to affirm that Poland remained an independent kingdom under its own sovereign ruler. Like any young woman, she had hopes and plans for her future. She loved Prince William of Austria and wanted to marry him. But God had another plan.

The neighboring kingdom of Lithuania was not yet Christian, still pagan. And for the good of Poland and to bring salvation to the Lithuanian people, Jadwiga was counselled to Mary the Grand Duke Jagiełło. She was asked to sacrifice he deepest human desires for the good of her people and to save the Lithuanian people.

Love begins when we stop asking “What do I want?” and start asking, “What is truly best for others.”

Two

The Struggle

Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jadwiga agonized over this decision. But then she did the most important thing. She brought it to the feet of Jesus, spending long hours in prayer before a large black crucifix in Wawel Cathedral. We all face choices to do what we want or to do what is truly best for the people in our life. But often what is best is not clear or it requires such a personal sacrifice that it is repulsive. The danger is to stay in our head, in our thoughts and go round and round. And then we end up rationalizing our selfish decision. Because we can always find reasons to avoid the sacrifices of love. Or we let our feelings take control. But feelings should never dictate our choices and behavior.

Instead, do what Jadwiga did. She went to Jesus. Go to Jesus, tell him everything. Tell him in a way that is frank and honest. And then tell him, “Not my will but your will be done.”

Three

The Answer

As she poured out her heart to Jesus hanging on the Crucifix in Wawel Cathedral, Jesus spoke to her saying, “Do what you see.” And what did she see? A King who ruled through sacrifice. That what she

was looking at in the Crucifix. A King who laid down his life to save his people. And He said to her, “Do what you see.”

She saw a love willing to sacrifice for the salvation of others. And she did what she saw. She gave up her own plans and did what would bring the greatest good to Poland and the Lithuanian people.

How many times do I look at a crucifix, walk by a crucifix, and I pay no attention to it. It has almost become meaningless. We need to put a significant crucifix where are going to pray and look at that crucifix and allow Jesus to say to us, “Do what you see.” Love. Don’t just do what you want. Because that is not the way to happiness. That is actually the way to unhappiness. Love, do what is best for others.

Do what you see: forgive, serve, give. And remain faithful no matter what it cost.

Four

Love Brings Others to Christ

Jadwiga chose to marry the Lithuanian Grand Duke Jagiełło. And because of her faith, he was inspired to become Catholic. And his whole nation followed his example. By her sacrifice, a whole nation of people received baptism and were saved. And all the generations that came after were saved.

When we truly love others, we want more than our personal comfort. We want them to have a deep friendship with Jesus. But often a spouse or a child or sibling is not interested in Jesus. That is why we must be Apostles of Friendship. We must build bridges of friendship with the people God has placed in our life. A bridge where we cross over to them, spend time with them, do good things together.

So, we can know, understand, love and care for them. That builds a bridge for them to cross over to God. The question is, will you do what you see? The Son of God was in Heaven. He built a bridge of friendship, the Incarnation, becoming one of us. And he became friends with us. So that we could cross over through friendship with Him to God the Father. Do what you see.

I know. God has placed people in your life who are difficult, that have caused you pain, that won’t respond. Be faithful, persevere in building the bridge of friendship and don’t burn that bridge down. It might take years or even decades. You may not see the fruit until you are in Heaven. Do what you see anyway.

Five

Love in Deed and Truth

Jesus looked down from the cross and he said to Jadwiga, “Do what you see.” And she did. And it cost her. Will you do the same?

Who is God asking you to love faithfully, to build a bridge of friendship with? Maybe some person who is not responsive. Someone who is difficult, not easy to love. Someone who has made really bad decisions again and again. A spouse, one of your children, a sibling or colleague. Do what you see, pray for them, build the bridge, invite them to do good things with you: meals, drinks, coffee, walks, projects. Be interested in them and ask good questions so you can get to know them. Listen to them and persevere. And when the time is right, and that might take a long time, invite them to encounter Jesus in prayer, or by reading His life in Scripture, or going back to Confession, and back to Mass or to become Catholic. And then accompany them.

Love is not proven by what we feel. Love is proven by what we do. As St John writes, “Let us not love in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

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